Stand-off detection of explosive particles by imaging Raman spectroscopy

A multispectral imaging technique has been developed to detect and identify explosive particles, e.g. from a fingerprint, at stand-off distances using Raman spectroscopy. When handling IED's as well as other explosive devices, residues can easily be transferred via fingerprints onto other surfaces e.g. car handles, gear sticks and suite cases. By imaging the surface using multispectral imaging Raman technique the explosive particles can be identified and displayed using color-coding. The technique has been demonstrated by detecting fingerprints containing significant amounts of 2,4-dinitrotoulene (DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrotoulene (TNT) and ammonium nitrate at a distance of 12 m in less than 90 seconds (22 images × 4 seconds)1. For each measurement, a sequence of images, one image for each wave number, is recorded. The spectral data from each pixel is compared with reference spectra of the substances to be detected. The pixels are marked with different colors corresponding to the detected substances in the fingerprint. The system has now been further developed to become less complex and thereby less sensitive to the environment such as temperature fluctuations. The optical resolution has been improved to less than 70 μm measured at 546 nm wavelength. The total detection time is ranging from less then one minute to around five minutes depending on the size of the particles and how confident the identification should be. The results indicate a great potential for multi-spectral imaging Raman spectroscopy as a stand-off technique for detection of single explosive particles.</p

Thiol end-functionalization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone), catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B

The use of Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB) chemoselective catalyst in the Thiol End-Functionalization of Poly(ε-caprolacetone) was discussed. Thiol-functionalization of poly(ε-caprolacetone)(PCL) was made by an initiation reaction catalyzed by CALB in bulk. 2-Mercaptoethanol (1) was used to initiate the enzyme-assisted ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolacetone(2) to give the desired thiol-functionalized polymer. The structure of the terminated PCL was confirmed by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance .</p

A SEM study on the use of epoxy functional vegetable oil and reactive UV-absorber as UV-protecting pretreatment for wood

The present study investigates the ageing performance of a UV protective system for wood, comprising the reactive UV absorber 2-hydroxy-4(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-benzophenone (HEPBP) and epoxy functional vegetable oils (linseed and soybean oil). Scots pine samples of radial or cross-sectional surfaces were treated using a combination of the two components, or using only one of the oils. The treated samples were then aged in a Weather-Ometer for 2 × 60 h and analysed using VPSEM to follow the degradation of the wood substrate in the exact same spot before, during and after ageing. The results of the radial surfaces show slightly less degradation of samples treated with a combination of HEPBP and oil, and for the cross-sectional surfaces an even stronger protective effect is visible. For samples treated with only one of the two oils, no improvement was detectable. The radial surfaces were also analysed using FTIR where the results indicate presence of the protective treatment even after 120 h of exposure. Overall the combined pretreatment of HEPBP and epoxy functional linseed oil was concluded to have a photostabilising effect of the wood substrate.</p

Comb Polymers Prepared by ATRP from Hydroxypropyl Cellulose

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was used as a core molecule for controlled grafting of monomers by ATRP, the aim being to produce densely grafted comb polymers. HPC was either allowed to react with an ATRP initiator or the first generation initiator-functionalized 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid dendron to create macroinitiators having high degrees of functionality. The macroinitiators were then “grafted from” using ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) or hexadecyl methacrylate. Block copolymers were obtained by chain extending PMMA-grafted HPCs via the ATRP of tert-butyl acrylate. Subsequent selective acidolysis of the tert-butyl ester moieties was performed to form a block of poly(acrylic acid) resulting in amphiphilic block copolymer grafts. The graft copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR and FT−IR spectroscopies, DSC, TGA, rheological measurements, DLS, and tapping mode AFM on samples spin coated upon mica. It was found that the comb (co)polymers were in the nanometer size range and that the dendronization had an interesting effect on the rheological properties

Comb-shaped copolymers composed of hydroxypropyl cellulose backbones and cationic poly((2-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate) side chains for gene delivery

10.1021/bc900044hBioconjugate Chemistry2081449-1458BCCH